Dr Rowan Williams said he would be asking “awkward” questions of all those involved, including campaigners, bankers and clergy.

The protesters have been camped outside St Paul’s for 52 days since October 15, demonstrating against economic inequality, the lack of affordable housing, social injustice, corporate greed and the influence of companies and lobbyists on government.

“What would Jesus do (about the protest)? He’d first of all be there: sharing the risks, not just taking sides but steadily changing the entire atmosphere by the questions he asks of everybody involved, rich and poor, capitalist and protester and cleric,” Dr Williams said.

“Christmas doesn’t commemorate the birth of a super-good person who shows us how to get it right every time, but the arrival in the world of someone who tells us that everything could be different.”

The Archbishop’s remarks come ahead of the camp facing an eviction hearing at the High Court on December 19 after the City of London Corporation started legal action to remove tents from the public highway.

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